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The USS Oriskany: she was a fearsome presence in the wars at Korea and Vietnam. She hasn’t served the US Navy in more than 30 years, now a rusted veteran, awaiting burial at sea. But, the Oriskany has one final mission, before she’s laid to rest; a salvage crew races the clock to strip the last of her riches

 

I was so sad to see her go. I remember a day in January, 1968, when she returned to Alameda after spending 4 months of combat in Vietnam. As she sailed under the Bay Bridge traffic halted in both directions to look down on the crew lining the deck in their dress-whites. That was three months after Lt. Commander John McCain took off from her deck in an A-4 Skyhawk for the last time. It was his 23rd combat mission and he was shot down that day and held a POW for over four years. It's hard to believe it's been over 16 years since she was turned into an artificial reef. RIP O-boat.

I'm not sure when this video documentary was first made, but I had never seen it before so thought I'd share it here since it is somewhat obliquely related to aircraft. 😉

The multiple camera showing the water rushing into the ship's hangar was awesome!

I believe it was made by a Canadian company in 2006. My interest in the O-boat comes from a very dear friend who flew A-4's from both she and the Kitty Hawk. I've a hundred stories to tell but since they are all second-hand I'll settle for the memories of my friend (RIP) and our many, many talks.

P.S. But I will say he was the guy whom I posted about before that flew his A4 under the Golden Gate bridge.....inverted.

Edited November 10, 20205 yr by W2DR